Community Centers

Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Marshalltown, Iowa)

Construction began on Veterans Memorial Coliseum in downtown Marshalltown in 1928, with dedication services held on March 15, 1929. The facility has served a number of purposes in its 80-plus-year history, including an important training quarters for the Iowa National Guard prior to World War II. The local American Legion Post has held meetings in the second-floor offices, Marshalltown Community College has played basketball games in the gym, and local residents have rented the building for dances, sports, and even weddings.

Since the building was originally dedicated for to veterans of the Civil War, Spanish American War, and World War I, a special ceremony was held on Veterans Day 2009 to mark the 80th anniversary of the facility and rededicate the building to all veterans.

Churches

United Methodist Church (Beaconsfield, Iowa)

Despite a tie with nearby LeRoy for being the smallest incorporated town in Iowa, Beaconsfield still has an active church congregation. The United Methodist Church in the Ringgold County community can trace its history to 1885, with the first church building constructed three years later. In April 1911, a new brick church was constructed at a cost of $7,000, and dedicated debt free on December 24.

Tragedy struck on November 19, 1949, when the brick church and all its contents were destroyed by fire. The congregation rallied together and began fundraising for a new building the next day. Within a few weeks, over $14,000 was raised, and the new church was dedicated in early 1951. Recent changes include a new roof and ramp for handicap accessibility. The congregation shares a pastor with the United Methodist Church in nearby Kellerton.

Public Libraries

Public Library (Agency, Iowa)

The public library in the Wapello County town of Agency first opened on March 6, 1940. Volunteer workers from the local PTA and newly-formed library board created the library’s first card catalog. The library is located in a two-story brick building on Main Street, between the community’s City Hall and Post Office. It’s open 7 days a week; for updates, check out its Facebook page.

Banks

Gateway State Bank (Goose Lake, Iowa)

The Gateway State Bank began operating as Goose Lake State Bank in 1907 in the pictured brick and stone building. The Clinton County bank survived the depression, even expanding in 1936 when it absorbed a failed bank in nearby Charlotte. In 1980, the bank charter was moved to Clinton and renamed Gateway State Bank. While the bank has occupied several locations in Clinton, it has remained in its original office in Goose Lake for the entirety of its 100-plus-year history.

Courthouses

Emmet County Courthouse (Estherville, Iowa)

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In February 1954, a grand jury of seven Emmet County residents voted unanimously to recommend the construction of a new courthouse following a report that the existing, 70-year-old courthouse was “inadequate, a fire hazard and a detriment of all citizens of the county should it burn.” Within a month, a special election was approved by the county supervisors and over two-thirds of voters favored building a new $350,000 structure in the November election.

Plans were drawn for the proposed courthouse, but by February 1956, the lowest bid received was more than $70,000 over the $350,000 approved in the election. A second vote to increase the building fund failed by a 10 to one margin, sending the county supervisors back to architect James A. Dougher of Des Moines to redo plans in attempt to secure a lower bid. On March 19, 1957 a revised bid was received that met the county’s budget, and the cornerstone to the new structure was laid Friday, May 30, 1957.

Construction was completed fifteen months later, and the new Emmet County Courthouse building was officially dedicated in front of an estimated crowd of 1,500 on September 14, 1958. Following the dedication, guided tours were given of the new building and dedication brochures were distributed.

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